Last year, the marquee cancer center at the University of Kentucky became the first and only comprehensive cancer center in the state.

This new status means patients at Markey can access new drugs, better treatment options and select clinical trials.

Today, UK health care took another step toward reducing the cancer burden in Kentucky.

A new cancer center is breaking ground at the University of Kentucky and it will house all the medical specialties cancer patients might need.

And one place.

Today, we celebrate another significant step for serving the people of Kentucky with the groundbreaking of the U.K. cancer and advanced ambulatory building.

This space is not just another building in our rapidly expanding campus.

It represents our commitment to the patient experience.

It reflects our calling to not only provide Kentuckians with the best complex care, but to ensure we're making that care more accessible, that no Kentuckians should ever wake up to worry that they cannot receive the best of care in the worst of times.

Close down.

You know you've made a difference.

You don't know who you made a difference for, but you know you've made a difference.

So when your head goes on the pillow at night, you know somebody's life is a little bit better.

And that's what this means, is that there will be a lot of people's lives that will be better for the more students that can go through the program.

The additional research that can happen here, the lives it will touch outside of this area.

That's what this day is about.

The new cancer center will also house other services like urgent care imaging services and a physical rehabilitation.

The $781 project is expected to be completed in 2027.